The attractive lakeside town of Zell am See has a different feel to it than most Austrian ski destinations. Perhaps because of its size or its water front location, this is not the normal mountain village made up of a few dozen giant wooden chalets. On the other hand the mountains are still there, towering high above to altitudes capable of maintaining glacier skiing at neighbouring Kaprun, so the comparatively low altitude of Zell am See doesn't prevent guaranteed skiing throughout the season. The two have been joined, on the same pass at least if not by lifts, in the Europa Sport Ski Region since 1968. Today there are more than 130km of trails (78 miles), 80km (50 miles) of which are local to Zell. Even though it doesn't meet the standard Austrian resort model, it's still a very scenic spot, with the lake in front and the mountains behind. Another factor making Zell seem that bit different is the feeling of history that oozes from the medieval centre (now pedestrianised) and the culture of the place which stems from it. The water sports, beach parties, classical concerts, festivals and theatre performances at the castle all combine to prove that Zell am See was around long before winter sports were thought of, and still has a life beyond them.

A small town on the shores of Lake Zell with a wide range of shops (pedestrianised centre), restaurants and off-slope activity options. Connected with Kaprun, although not quite lift linked to it.

Mountain

Zell am See's 80km (50 miles) of trails are largely located on the Schmittenhöhe mountain behind the town. There are various access points to the area, but most people staying in central Zell will take the gondola, the base of which is a few minutes walk above the town centre. Alternative access is via the neighbouring village of Schüttdorf or via a choice of two cable cars that leave from a base above Zell; all are linked by a ski bus, which is free to lift pass holders.

Beginners normally start up by the aforementioned Sonnenalm cable cars and will find the easier blue runs up on top of the mountain, with the option of taking the lift back down if the long run back is too daunting in the early days. Intermediates will enjoy Zell am See's skiing the most with more than 50km (32 miles) of red and blue runs to whizz around on, including an 6.5km (4 mile) trail, the Schutt, descending the full 1200 metre vertical back down to the resort.

Advanced skiers have several long medium-steep blacks descending through the forest to enjoy, some usually mogulled, and Zell has a reputation for good off-piste powder when conditions are right. Zell am See's sunny slopes do have good snow-making cover on nearly two-thirds of the piste, however most skiers will wish to visit Kaprun's glacier skiing on the Kitzsteinhorn Glacier during their stay. This is accessed by a ski bus which runs every 20 minutes in high season, and once an hour during other periods, journey time is around 30 minutes and the service is free to lift pass holders. Lift queues at the glacier, that resulted in the past when skiers from neighbouring low level resorts arrived in droves when conditions were poor, have been eased by the installation of a new six seater chair.

Cross country skiers have up to 200km (125 miles) of trails around the valley including a 10km (6 mile) track on frozen Lake Zell, a three kilometre (two mile) illuminated track at Schüttdorf and a two kilometre high altitude trail on the Schmittenhohe at 1,500 metres.

Families

A good choice for families in many respects, Zell am See's many family-friendly sports facilities and pedestrianised centre will suit kids. They will probably enjoy the ski bus too, although if they're still at an age when you have to carry their kit for them this may not be such a boon. Children's ski school is available from age four with supervision over lunchtime available on request.

There is a kindergarten for children aged one or over and several of the hotels have in-house crèche facilities. Children aged up to seven can use the lifts free if accompanied by their parents, children aged 6 to 16 pay about two thirds of the adult high season rate and about three quarters of the low season rate. There is also a youth rate for young adults aged 16 to 18. Large families also benefit from a deal whereby the first child (aged up to 15) pays the child rate, the second child receives a 50% reduction and all other children are free. This applies only for children aged under 15.

Eating Out

Zell am See has a great range of dining choices ranging from McDonalds to gourmet Austrian fayre. All told there are some 60 restaurants in the region with a further 15 cafés and cake shops; about half of them are in the town. Good choices in the latter cake shop category include the Café Feinschmeck or the Moosshammer. After that, value establishments include relatively low priced fast food, Chinese and pizza restaurants. Many of the hotel restaurants have economic set menus. Guiseppes is known for its high calibre Italian whilst the Traubenstüberl is one of the best of the many offering regional specialities and traditional Austrian dishes. There's also a rare Croatian option - the Adria.

Apres

The 22 bars, pubs and discothèques in the region give Zell am See a lively night life for those who want it, with quiet sophisticated night spots for those who don't. In the former category the Schnapps Hans Ice Bar at the top of the cable car is a good place to start (especially if the weather is good). Then back in Zell the Villa Crazy Daisy is normally one of the busiest spots in town, along with the popular Diele. Honorary mentions also for Greens, Resi Bar, Viva and Membar. But there is so much more to do than party in Zell - bowling, toboggan run, night skiing, cinema, swimming, skating and a host of other opportunities.

Boarding

NEW: Rome Park on the Schmitten

Zell am See is a top destination for snowboarders with the Europa Sport Region. Local to Zell am See there's a Fun Park with half pipe at Glocknerwiese on the Schmittenhöhe with one of Austria's original two Boarder Cross courses with jumps, ramps and bumps and there's plenty of surfing and cruising terrain all around the Region. The nightlife model also fits most 'boarders requirements.